HEWS OF THE DAY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2187, 28 February 1881, Page 2

HEWS OF THE DAY.

Athletic Club Meeting. —Mr Hawkrs sold to-day, the privileges for the above as follows :—One publican’s booth, £5, Mr E. Oookson ; confectioner’s booth, £l, Robinson ; cards, £l, Moßachen. Bible Christian. —The foundation for the new church at the corner of Ferry road and Wilson street will bo laid to morrow afternoon at 4 p.m. In connection with the ceremony there will bo a public tea in the New Oddfellow’s Hall, in Lichfield street from six to seven, and a public meeting after. For particulars see advertisement. Working Men’s Club.—A benefit performance in aid of the library fund of the Working Men’s Club will be given at the Theatre Royal this evening. The programme includes “ The Courier of Lyons,” and an address.

The Bandmann Season.—Mr Jennings, agent in advance of Mr Reynolds’ Dramatic Company, has arrived in Christchurch, to make arrangements for the opening of tho season at the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening. The first piece to be produced will be “ Hamlet,” Herr Bandmann appearing in tho title role.

Magistrate’s Court, Bangioha. —At this Court on Saturday, before H. Cunningham, Esq., Harry Jackson was brought up charged with setting fire to Mr Judsen’s threshing machine on Friday evening, on Mr Buss’ farm. Sergeant Barlow applied for a remand of accused till Tuesday, which was granted. Theatre Royal. —The dramatic season of the company which has been playing at the Theatre since the close of tho opera season, concluded on Saturday night, when “Lizzie Lyle” was performed. It is probable that, after a short Southern tour, Mrs Hill will pay a visit to Christchurch prior to leaving for Australia, and it is in contemplation to arrange a farewell benefit to herself and daughters.

Opbnihq thh Libbaby on Sunday. —A. very large number of signatures, comprising the leading men of the community in all branches of trade, &0., have been appended to the memorial to the Board of Governors, advocating that the Public Library shall be opened on Sundays. It will bo presented this afternoon at the meeting of the Board of Governors.

Ebpobtbd Discovbey op Coal, —It has been rumored during the past three or four days that a discovery of a large seam of splendid coal had been made in the Malvern district, in close proximity to the railway line. The discoverer has placed himself in communication with one or two gentlemen interested in the development of local industries, and no doubt further information will be obtainable shortly.

Nobth Road School Committee. —The visual monthly meeting was held on Thursday evening. Present—Messrs J. Johns, T.Wilson, D. Patohett, and J. Cochran (chairman). The committee voted for Messrs J. Inglis, R. L. Higgins, and Rev. 0. Fraser to fill the ordinary vacancies in the Board of Education, and for Mr James Cochran for the extraordinary vacancy. Correspondence re compulsory clauses was read and approved. It was carried unanimously that the compulsory clauses be brought into force. Mr Johns and the chairman were appointed to inspect the school grounds, fences, &0., and report to the next meeting.

Pieb AT FbbnSide. —On Thursday night, between nine and ten o’clock, a fire was discovered in the lower cattle sheds at Waiora, the residence of the Hon. H. B. ©reason. Fortunately a good supply of water was at hand, and by dint of great perseverance a mastery of the flames was obtained before the whole of that portion of the property was destroyed. The loss, however, consists of the destruction of a portion of the sheds, valued at about £3O, two stacks of last year's oats, fully 1000 bushels, one stack of straw, and the remnant of another. The buildings, which were of recent construction, form three sides of a square, of which one side was destroyed. A stack of old hav was saved. Thera was no insurance on the property. The police have the matter in hand for investigation.

Picnic. —The employes of the firm of Messrs Toomer Bros., with their wives and families, numbering over 200, held their annual picnic on Friday last, at Kumner. The procession, headed by Mr Beecher’s four-in-hand, which conveyed the well-known Excelsior Band, left the factory at 9,31 a.m , and having passed through some of the principal streets, proceeded to Sumner, where they arrived at 11 o’clock. Sports of all sorts wore entered into with great spirit, and the day proving beautifully fi ie, all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The firm, with their usual liberality, contributed greatly to the success of the occasion, and also to the enjoyment of their employes. Their efforts were thoroughly appreciated, as they were individually cheered on the departure of the procession from Sumner. The party arrived at Christchurch without anything occurring to mar the doy’s enjoyment.

Atonside Sunday School. —The scholars and teachers of the Avonside Sunday School had their annual picnic on Saturday in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Wansey. The day throughout was most enjoyable, the little ones going in for races and sports of various kinds. By the kindness of some of the parishioners and the Rev. W. A. Pasooe, the incumbent, quite a stock of toys, &0., were provided, of which every child present had a good share. Just before duik the children were mustered, and having given three hearty cheers for Mr Wansey, were conveyed home, having spent a very happy day.

Accident at Lyttelton.—On last Friday, Mr John Grubb, sen., an old resident at Lyttelton, met with severe injuries by an accid nt in the following manner: —He was putting a belt on one of the hopper barges then lying on Messrs Grubb and Co.’s slip, when the portion of which ha was in the act of rivetting on slipped from under the cramps and struck him with such force on the side as to knock him off the staging on which he was standing, and to a distance of 14ft. or 15ft., whore be fell heavily against a log. Ho was convoyed to Lyttelton by boat, and thence to his residence, where he was attended by Dr. Ml o ion aid.

Affairs in Russia. —According to the St, Petersburg correspondent of the “Cologne Gazette,” a Supreme Council of State is to come into existence in Russia at the Russian new year. This Council is to carry on all the business of the Empire independently of the Czar, the latter retaining the decision only of questions of war and peace. His union with Princess Dolgorouki will bo proclaimed as a legal marriage, without her becoming, however, Empress. She is to receive the title of Duchess of Holstein-Qottorp, and her children will be princes and princesses of the same name. Henceforth the Czar is expected to live with his family in perfect retirement at Livadia, remaining Emperor in name, but so far as Russian circumstances permit, transferring the earns of business to his eon.

Accidents. —At about two o’clock this afternoon an accident happened at Mr Hobday’s corner to a perambulator which contained a little lad whose mother was just returning with him from the Hospital, whither she hod taken him to have some severe burns on his leg dressed. The perambulator overturned while the mother was trying to raisw it from the gutter to a high korbing, and the occupant was thrown into the road, tho wheel coming in contact with his injured leg. One of the little fellow’s wrists was also put out. Fortunately no bones were broken.—Passing Mr Brice’s corner in an express van at three o’clock to day, Mr Samuel Offwood slipped off, a wheel passing over him. He was picked up, and was about to be taken to hospital by Mr B. J. Halo, but as he preferred to bo taken home his wishes were complied with. But for a severe shaking and some bruises, ha seems but little tho worse for the mishap. New Zealand Parliament.—Of the seventy-six members who took their seats in the first session of tho fifth Parliament of New Zealand, which was opened by His Excellency Sir George Bowen on the 14th August, 1871, only twenty-one hold Boats at the present time. Mr Macandraw is the “father of the House,” having been elected previously to any other member, but is closely followed by Sir W. Fox and Sir G. M. O’Eorke. No less than eighteen of the seventy six members in August, 1871, have joined the great majority, and five hold seats in the Legislative Council.

The New Bridge over the Cluxha, — The “Leader” of Friday last soys : —Tho first cylinder of the new bridge here was lowered into the river at the north side on Tuesday, and tho work of excavation was commenced at four o’clock yesterday morning. This work will now be continued night and day. Nino men are employed, and they work in three shifts—four hours at a time, with an intervening rest of eight hours. The water is 16ft deep at the spot, and tho cylinders have to be sunk to a depth of about 40ft. It is calculated that a pair of cylinders will bo sunk every month ; but this will no doubt, to a large extent, depend upon the nature of the bottom, which, so far as gone, is found to be gravel. There are four pairs of cylinders to sink, so that this portion of the work is expected to bo got through in four months. Small Farms. —We, “Morning Herald,’’ have heard tho comfortable condition of the small settlers in a district within thirty miles of Dunedin, accounted for in a rather peculiar way. They go in largely for raising the greatest amount of butter and other dairy produce on their small properties. Their properties are so small, wo heard it eaid, that they must do their own work, and cannot “burst” themselves up by borrowing money on mortgage to do things in a large and pretentious way. The opinion now gains increased currency, that it is bettor for a farmer to hold the plough himself than be riding round on horseback to see the work done. It would appear to be an advantage to a man to have a property so small that ho cannot raise a mortgage upon it.” The Paddington Station. —The Paddington Station of the Great Western Railway was lighted for the first time on December 23 rd by the Brush eleotric light. Thirtyfour lamps have been hung from the root of the station over the various platforms, but only thirteen were lighted. The experiment was made under tho supervision of Mr Spagnoletti, telegraph superintendent of the Great Western Railway ; Mr Allen, engineer of the Anglo-Amcricsn Electric Light Company, and other gentlemen connected with tho company. At half-past eight the wires were attached to the terminals of one of the dynamic machines, and the terminus was in a moment illuminated amid the cheers of tho spectators. Sydenham Borough Council.— The ordinary meeting of this Council will be held at seven o’clock this evening. Oddfhllotvship. — A summoned meeting of the members of the Loyal City of Chxistchnrch Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., will be held this evening, to consider revised district by-laws. Building Society.— Tho annual general meeting of tho shareholders of No. 3 Building and Land Society will be held at seven o’clock this evening, to receive the report of the directors and other business.